Page "Historical background of New Testament" Paragraph 36

As with many religions, no precise date of founding is agreed by all parties.

Christians traditionally believe that Christianity began with Jesus ' ministry, and the appointment of the Twelve Apostles or the Seventy Disciples, see also Great Commission.

Most historians agree that Jesus or his followers established a new Jewish sect, one that attracted both Jewish and Gentile converts.

Historians continue to debate the precise moment when Christianity established itself as a new religion, apart and distinct from Judaism.

Some Christians were still part of the Jewish community up until the time of the Bar Kochba revolt in the 130s, see also Jewish Christians.

As late as the 4th century, John Chrysostom strongly discouraged Christians from attending Jewish festivals in Antioch, which suggests at least some ongoing contact between the two groups in that city.

Similarly for the Council of Laodicea around 365.

See also Shabbat, Sabbath in Christianity, Quartodeciman, Constantine I and Christianity.

According to historian Shaye J. D. Cohen,